The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 6 Spring 2013 | Page 3

Going green! Since starting The Zimbabwean Gardener, I have come across many exciting initiatives, which encourage a tidier, greener and more water wise Zimbabwe. All of these initiatives have opened my eyes and made me question: what is my role in making Zimbabwe a greener place and how much of an eco-warrior am I? Promoting these causes in my magazine is one way of spreading the word but wouldn’t I be perceived as a bit of a hypocrite if I didn’t practise what I preached at home? So for the past few months, since moving to a new cottage, I have tried to be ‘greener’ in my everyday habits. It hasn’t come easy but I’m getting better at it. My green routine consists of throwing every veggie scrap onto the compost heap, lugging buckets of my bath water around the garden, reusing containers for herbs, cuttings or seeds and of course recycling. Admittedly, the latter one has been the hardest to follow as not only does this take a lot of discipline, but there is also a shortage of recycling outlets and a lack of information about it in Zimbabwe. Since attending a Zimbabwean Recycling Association’s meeting, I have been encouraged to find that there is an exciting movement starting with recycling in Harare and even more pleased to find out that we have our own colour coded recycling bags. To guide you this season, our passionate and very green, Louise Bragge, has written a very informative column about recycling and how you can play your part in ‘greening’ up Zimbabwe. I am not saying run out and hug a tree but wouldn’t you rather see trees growing than our landfills increasing? Scraps and jars ar e reused The daily lug! [M e with my bath wa ter!] Growing mint by the tap, to make the most of the run off My scrap bowl for the compost! iners r conta wate My new Happy gardening ...and recycling! Kari Follow The Zimbabwean Gardener on Facebook for more inspiring ideas! Tomato cans used Bucket under taps to collect the drips – every drop counts! for cuttings 3